Chapter 14: Baan Nation

Baan is a country on the Westchuan Continent.

Its national presence is average, holding little decisive power in the region.

Thus it became a neutral country.

Since its founding, the economy has progressed, but slower than the Selas-region nations.

It is not tiny, yet is a weak nation.

In its history, most rulers were mediocre or foolish, some even lacking basic knowledge, elevated through the support of eunuchs.

Yet these rulers shared one belief: money is most important.

Whether for the nation or themselves, wealth equals dignity.

Officials often seized wealth from the people, purchasing grain cheaply and selling it at high prices.

The poor were forced to buy expensive grain until their wealth was gone.

The poorest, who relied only on self-grown food, starved and died, bodies lying in the streets.

So unbearable was this suffering that from the mid-ancient Baan period onward, rebellions and uprisings erupted everywhere.

Battles became common sights.

The people lived in unbearable misery.

Later Gufu Baan unified the country.

He was the only direct descendant of the founding emperor.

Gufu Baan created laws to preserve national order and opened the treasury to place the people first.

He established a special democratic system so the people could contribute to national development.

If Baan continued this path, it would surely become a world power.

Today Baan’s economy still lags due to mistakes of ancient rulers.

Although below global averages, it has greatly recovered.

If progress continues, Baan may rise among the strong economic nations.

Thus for a nation, economy is indeed crucial.

Yet economy must not be held solely by rulers.

It must be shared by both leaders and the people.

This is called economic democracy.